Chris Carmack (of The O.C. fame) answered many prayers when he returned to television playing a country star on the rise on ABC's Nashville. However, unlike this year's viral sensation, country crooner Steve Grand, Carmack's character, Will Lexington, is still in the closet. Carmack recently sat down with OUT Magazine to discuss playing a very not out character living in the world of country music:

In Season 1, Will kissed his obviously straight friend Gunner. Why's he so clueless?
I think Will might have a mild case of sexual Asperger's. He doesn't know better — all he knows is how to go to a bar and take home whatever drunk girl comes on to him. With Gunner he stopped pushing everything down; he let himself get swept up.

Do you think it's possible to be openly gay and a successful country singer?
People I've spoken to say that at a certain level it'd be career suicide for somebody to come out of the closet. That's a terrible kind of fame. I don't think executives would give Will the time of day. That's a damn shame, but in country music there's a stigma that's insurmountable.

How have fans reacted to Will's story line?
People ask me, “Which pretty girl on that show are you with?” Even my grandma did. I said, “I don't know, Mama, you're just gonna have to watch!”

You can read the full interview, complete with a discussion of Connie Britton's "magical hair," HERE.

Also, in case you missed it, check out a video of Carmack as Will Lexington making a move on his friend Gunner AFTER THE JUMP…